Gymnastic appliance



July 3, 1928.

H. 1. HAWXj-IURST GYMNASTIC 'rrumc:

Filed N 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented July 3, 1928.

"PATENT OFFICE.

HENi RY I. nawirnunsr, or SIERRA MADRE, CALIFORNIA.

GYMNASTIC APPLIANCE.

Application filed November 2, 1923. Serial No'. 672,401.

My. invention relates to a device designed primarily to stretch the muscles of the neck and back, and to correct curvature of the spine, and to stretch theabdominal muscles and the object thereof is to provide a slmple and eliicient device for that purpose, that can be .inanipulated' by theperson usin the S21.1\10W1tl1 his arms outstretched there y.

In the drawings forming a partof this specification: r r

Fig. 1', is a front viewof my appliance; Fig. 2, is a perspective view of the head support Fig. 3, isa side view, slightly perspective oi the part shown in Fig. 2, with the head of a person shown positioned therein;

Fig. 4, shows a body strap;

5, illustrates the use of the body strap; v

Fig. 6 is a frontview. ofa modified form of head support;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the form shown in Fig. 6 showing itpositioned; Fig. 8 is a detail of a joint shown 1n Figs. 6 and 7.

My device is attached to an elevated support, shown in the drawings as the ceiling 10, into which a screweye 11 is fastened,

A'support 12, either a stripof iron or a heavy strap issecured to"11 On the lower end of 12 is pivotally mounted, a pair of levers 13 and 14, to which are connected links 15 and 16. Levers 13 and 14 are connected by pivot 17, which also connects them to 12. Links 15 and 16are pivotally connected to levers 13 and 14, and are connected to each other by a hook 18. A chain 19 is connected to hook-18. On the bottom of chain 18,, is secured a bail 20, in the eye 21, to which are secured bars 22 and 23. Strap 24 has loops in the ends thereof which are passed over the ends of bars 22 and 23.

piece. When the device is positioned on the wearer foruse the levers are in their open position as shown in Fig. 1, and the outer ends of levers 13 and 14, are provided with hooks 27, that are removably secured in holes 28. I have shown 3 holes in each lever to enable the user to adjust the hooks to. give different leverages. A cord 29, having an adjusting clip 30, is mounted in each hook connected tolevers l3 and 14. Hand knobs 31, may be secured upon the ends of cords 30. Cords 29, could beomitted if the levers are positioned so as to be grasped by the hands of the user. i T

a It will be understood that when the apparatus is positioned for use, that the user stands upright on the floor, and grasps the knobs with his hands, his arms being raised as shown in Fig. 5, andthe levers as shown in Fig. 1. By pulling on thecords, he can exert a pulling effect to stretch his spinal column, being able to lift his body from the floor. This will put considerable strain on the neck, and it may be desired not to have great strain on the neck, but to have the stretch upon the body below the shoulders.

In such case, bail 20, would be disconnected from chain 19, and arm straps 32, would be substituted therefor. Straps 32, would be placed under the arms as shown in Fig. 5,

when the body could be stretched by pulling on the cords. Straps 32 could be used under movement to the lungs and other internal organs. r

In the modified form of head support shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a U-shaped yoke 33 has threaded thereon a T-fitting 34; which is revoluble thereon. In fitting 34 is secured a curved bar 35 that extends upwardly and forwardly, when positioned for use as shown in Fig. 7, and has secured on the end thereof a T-fitting 36 in which is mounted a cross bar 37. On the outer ends of bar 37 are short eye rods 38 which have eyes at each end. The upper eyes are rockable on bar 37 and in the lower eyes are secured the back strap 39. Front cords 40 pass through the lower eyes of rods 38 and are provided with adjusting catches 41 for adjusting the distance between the lower eyes of rods 38 and the ends of yoke 33. A piece of strong engaged by chain 19 when the device is positioned for use. Fitting 3% has a slit 4:5 therein through \vhichrpasses a screw 46 that screws into yoke 33 to prevent bar 35 rocking too far. In this form 01' head support :the headoi' the user is passed into yoke 33 With the chin above strap 42. Strap 39 is then positioned to engage the back of the head as rliigh up as can be done withoutcausing itrto slip off. Cords 40 are then adjusted to bring strap 42 up under the chin when @the :head support is positioned for use, as shown in Fig. 7. The device'is used as before described. In this form it will be observed that the head support by adjusting cords 40 will .fit upon a small or a large head equally Well.

'It will be observed that chain 19 could beattached to some independent support, as by beinganade longer to the ceiling. In such case by grasping bars22 and 23 with the :hands the spine could be stretched and the body swung in various directions, which is of great benefit in correcting curvature of the spine.

Having described my invention, I claim A gymnastic apparatus comprising a pairof levers; means seeuredto the connecting pivot of the levers to attach them :to

a support thereabove; links connected to pair of levers pivoted together near the ends, thereof; supporting means connected to said levers at their pivoted connection; a pair of links pivotally connected together and to the shorter ends of the levers; means connected to the links at their pivoted connection to engage the person of the user; and means connected to the outer ends of the levers adapted to enable the user to operate the levers, whereby portions of the body ofthe user may be stretched.

V 3. Agymnastic apparatus comprising a pairof levers pivoted together near the ends thereof; supporting means connected to said leversat their pivoted connection; a pair of links pivotally connected together and to the shorter ends of the lovers; a chain connected to the links; a bail connected to the chain; bars mounted in the ends of the bail; and straps mounted on said bars.

4. A gymnastic apparatus comprising a pair of levels pivoted together; means connected to the pivotal connection of the levers adapted to support and suspend the same; and means connected to one end of each lever adapted to be secured upon the person of the user, whereby the user may operate thel levers to stretch portions of his or her *oc y;

5. A device of .the character described comprising an adjustable head support formed of a yoke; a curved bar rockably secured upon said yoke intermediate its ends; a transverse bar mounted upon the end of the curved bar; a strap connected to said transverse bar; a chin strap mounted upon 831d yoke; and ad ustIng cords connectedto the ends of said yokeand to the ends of said transverse bar, in combination with means to suspend saidsupport, and other means to operate the same substantially as shown and described.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I HENRY I. HAWXHURST. 

